THE ONTHOPHAGI 87 



casket in which the transformation will take place. Its 

 materials are the digestive residuum, converted into mortar 

 and heaped up in the hump. The stercoral architect is 

 about to construct a masterpiece of elegance out of its own 

 ordure, held in reserve in that receptacle. 



I follow its movements under the magnifying-glass. 

 It buckles itself, closes the circuit of the digestive ap- 

 paratus, brings the two poles into contact and, with the 

 end of its mandibles, seizes a pellet of dung ejaculated 

 at that moment. This pellet, moulded and measured 

 to perfection, is very neatly gathered. A slight bend of 

 the neck sets the rubble-stone in place. Others follow, 

 laid one above the other in minutely regular courses. 

 Giving a tap here and there with its feelers, the grub 

 makes sure of the stability of the parts, their accurate 

 binding, their orderly arrangement. It turns round in 

 the centre of the work as the edifice rises, even as a 

 mason does when building a tower. 



Sometimes, the laid stone becomes loose, because the 

 cement has given way. The worm takes it up again 

 with its mandibles, but, before replacing it, coats it with 

 an adhesive moisture. It holds it to its anus, whence 

 trickles, on the moment, almost imperceptibly, a gummy 

 consolidating extract. The hump supplies the materials ; 

 the intestines give, if necessary, the connecting glue. 



In this way, a nice house is produced, ovoid in shape, 

 polished as stucco within and adorned on the outside with 

 slightly projecting scales, similar to those on a cedar- 

 cone. Each of these scales is one of the rubble-stones out 

 of the hump. The casket is not large : a cherry-stone 

 would about represent its dimensions ; but it is so accurate, 

 so prettily fashioned that it will bear comparison with 

 the finest products of entomological industry. 



